Reported cases of the flu have reached epidemic levels, according to the Center for Disease Control last week. But don't be alarmed - the influenza virus typically reaches the "epidemic" level in the US at some point each season.

"This is still a pretty average year as far as the flu gets," Lynette Brammer, an epidemiologist in the CDC’s Influenza Division, told us Wednesday. "Unfortunately, we do see increases in hospitalizations and deaths in most influenza seasons."

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Brammer says that each year is different, but reported cases of the influenza virus usually peak in February.

"There can be some variability in timing of influenza. Last year, our peak didn't come until March, three years before that it was in December," she explained. "It can vary a lot, but the most frequent month for peak influenza activity is February. If nothing changes, that may be what we have this year."

The Atlanta-based federal agency reported that 15.4 out of every 100,000 people were hospitalized for flu-related symptoms last week. Eight pediatric deaths have also been reported - the first confirmed in Mississippi, according to the state's health department. A pediatric death applies to anyone under the age of 18.

Brammer predicts the CDC will have the effectiveness rates of this year's shot in about two weeks.

Flu activity has been reported in 37 states. Nationwide, an estimated 3,000 to 49,000 people die and more than 200,000 are hospitalized each year because of the flu.